Free from the conventions of long-form narrative and the arbitrary and commerce-driven requirement of an approximately two-hour running time, well-made short films can feel like a breath of fresh air ? when you can find them. The annual Oscar-Nominated Short Films deserve to be celebrated simply because they?re the only short-film programs widely distributed to theaters in the U.S. Divided into live-action, animation and documentary categories (the last of which has already received its one-time local screening), this year?s Oscar shorts are a predictably mixed bag, but one worthy of proper presentation on the big screen.? [ Read more ]